14h, 8 year old, bay pony gelding. The FLO picked this horse up from an Indian Reservation and was told that he was wild. The FLO owner decided to hold him back for now, so he halter broke him. This guy is a little resistant to having the halter put on but once it is on, he walked calmly and obediently behind him.

I spent some one on one time with Connor today. My belief is that he is not actually the "wild, unhandled pony" that everyone says he is. Instead, he seems like a pony that has gotten away with alot for too long.

When I pulled him out tonight, the first thing on my agenda was to worm him. He seemed to immediately know what I was going to do. He threw his head up and walked right into me and past me, completely disrespecting my space. After about 10 minutes of trying and gaining his respect for my space, I was able to worm him. However, he quickly pursed his lips and prepared to spit it all out! That turkey! I grabbed his chin and held it up high, while stroking his neck and throat until I heard him swallow.

When I finally let his head down, he spit a bit out anyways. What a joker! Luckily I gave him a full dose, which he probably didn't need all of, so it all worked out. Then I moved on to brushing him down. At first he seemed to keep moving away from the brush, though it could have been the stiff brush I was using and the many, many war wounds all over his body. Poor guy!

However, when I moved on to a softer brush and brushed near his girth area and legs, he pinned his ears and reached around to nip at me! He got in BIG trouble for that and quickly realized that was unacceptable. He didn't do it again and stood properly, without pinned ears, as I continued to brush his entire body.

Once I was done brushing him, I decided to see if he would pick up his feet. He picked his front feet automatically, but tried to kick at me when I gently reached for his hind feet. He only tried it once, and one smart slap on his rump had him lurching forward with surprise. He stood perfectly the next time I asked for his hind hoof, which made me think he knew exactly what he was doing.

In the end, I think that Connor actually knows quite a bit! He is polite on the lead rope, doesn't act frightened, and doesn't take much of a correction or reminder to act like a good boy. He's also very much a cuddler. At one point I cradled his head in my arms, where he seemed to sigh and take comfort in it. He never pulled away and remained there long after I released him. Silly guy!

Whatever he doesn't know, he will be easy to train! He's ready to have his feet trimmed and to continue his refresher course in ground work! The next thing on my agenda? His tail is one complete log of tangles and mats! Ugh! It's likely going to take close to 3-4 hours to get it undone! However, I fully believe he ties, so I will take him to my house tomorrow or Saturday, tie him to the trailer and use as much detangler as needed to fix his poor tail!

Good grief! What a little booger to try and nip you! I kind of had the same thought about him knowing more than he lets on. He was too good on the lead and trailering but then he was freaked by the concrete walkway and by the electric fence so who knows?!? I am so happy he is with you where he can get the right mix of tough love and gentle handling. I think it is going to take him no time at all to figure out it is soooooo much easier to be a good guy. Also the "brain surgery" scheduled for Wednesday will help tremendously! Thank you so much Juli for helping Connor to be the good guy I know is hiding under that distrustful attitude!